Summer 2024 Newsletter Steve's Desk

A couple of weeks ago, I was sent an article about the importance of small-sized churches. The article hit home for me on many levels, especially since the large churches are getting larger and the small churches are getting smaller. I know that there are many reasons for this, but I am not about the excuses, but the benefits. 
 
The article did tout many positive benefits of a small church. One of those is, “Everyone knows your name!”  This fosters the feelings of belonging – as a family. I grew up in a church smaller than Advance in rural Illinois. It was about a mile from a town of about 500 residents. It was indeed in the middle of cornfields along a half gravel-half pavement road. It was a generational church with many families dating back to its founding in 1873, mine included. My great, great, great grandfather was the first minister at that church. I vividly remember that small white building with a bell tower and two outhouses out back. I still remember the people, including those who have gone on to glory. But that sense of belonging still holds me and those people to that place. Even today, when I have the opportunity to visit with one of my long-time friends, it’s like time hasn’t passed at all.
 
I get that sense of belonging here at Advance, too. I know many of you have ties that go back many years. I see a wonderful relationship between the children and youth of our congregation with the adults. This generational relationship is vital to our youth in underscoring the importance of the church in their lives; I can attest to that. I hope you feel the importance of that bond because belonging to Christ’s church is powerful.
 
I am not underestimating that this relationship also exists in the larger churches. The important thing isn’t the size of the church but the power of belonging.
 
I am grateful to serve the Lord with you. We have something that people need that we need to share – the power of belonging to a church family that cares for each other on a deep level of love and commitment. Continue to live out these passages from God’s word:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing,  with one another in       love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 
Ephesians 4: 1-3
 
4 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24: